Huckabee said hat the heavy scrutiny of the party, especially vice presidential selection Sarah Palin, had the effect of unifying the GOP. He said news media coverage has been "tackier than a costume change at a Madonna concert."

Republicans have been chafing over a wide array of questions that reporters have raised this week over the process by which Palin was vetted, her family and her record as a mayor and governor in Alaska.

Huckabee tried to cast doubt on Democratic Sen. Barack Obama’s lack of experience and judgment in foreign policy, saying: “Maybe the most dangerous threat of an Obama presidency is that he would continue to give madmen the benefit of the doubt. If he’s wrong just once, we will pay a heavy price.”

“I say with sincerity that I have great respect for Senator Obama’s historic achievement to become his party’s nominee — not because of his color, but with indifference to it. Party or politics aside, we celebrate this milestone because it elevates our country.

“But the presidency is not a symbolic job,” he said. “And I don’t believe his preparation or his plans will lift America up.”

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